Pau Gasol has recently been connected to Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith over rumors of a trade. But after last night’s draft, where no motion took place in exchange for draft picks, the deal looks dead. Other teams are looking at the forward, which will make it difficult for the Lakers to obtain this athletic player.
Qualifying offers have been extended to Devin Ebanks and Darius Morris, however, making them restricted free agents. All this means is that if another team makes an offer to Ebanks or Morris the Lakers have the right of first refusal, meaning they can match that offer. This is not a guarantee that either player will be back next year. This off-season could get interesting.
And what did the draft bring Los Angeles? The Los Angeles Lakers acquired the No. 55 pick Darius Johnson-Odom and No. 60 pick Robert Sacre in last night’s 2012 NBA Draft. Darius Johnson-Odom, who went to Marquette, averaged 18.3 points per game, 2.7 assists per game and 3.5 rebounds per game last year. Robert Sacre, from Gonzaga, is a 7’0” 260 lb center who averaged 11.6 points and 6.3 rebounds his senior season. Both players are not on the full time roster; they will have to train hard in summer league and be invited to training camp before they are considered part of the Lakers.
Lakers Nation News
Team Extends Qualifying Offers to Devin Ebanks, Darius Morris
Lakers Not Interested in Signing Brandon Roy
Metta World Peace Jokes About Trade Rumors on Twitter
Lakers Made “Several Attempts” To Get Into Top 10 of NBA Draft
Lakers Rumors: Jonny Flynn Interested in Signing with the Lakers
Timberwolves Interested in Acquiring Pau Gasol
Lamar Odom, Mo Williams Deal Not Yet Completed
Lakers Off-Season Expectations for Ramon Sessions and Steve Blake
Hawks Not Ready to Trade Josh Smith
Lakers News: Qualifying Offer Reportedly Made to Point Guard Darius Morris
Lakers News
Lakers Demise Will Continue Without a Major Recruit [OC Register]
Kupchak Says There is More to Come [Land O’Lakers]
Atlanta Pursuing Pau Gasol? [Silver Screen and Roll]
Lakers Make a Deal, But it’s Not THAT Deal [LA Times]
Is Pau Gasol Headed to Minnesota? [OC Register]
Hill, Lakers Share Mutual Interest in Return [ESPN LA]
Draft Recap [Forum Blue and Gold]
Sessions Pivotal to Lakers Off-Season Plans [OC Register]
Lakers on Flynn’s List [Los Angeles Lakers Blog]
Playing Connect the Dots [Silver Screen and Roll]
Lakers Wish List- PG and Bench are Key [OC Register]
NBA News
Waiters Promises He Has no Promise [Hang Time Blog]
Andrew Goudelock Says He’s Losing Weight This Off-Season [LA Times]
Kings reject Rockets’ offer of Lowry for No. 5 pick [ProBasketball Talk]
Lamar Odom Traded to Clippers in a 3-Way Trade [SB Nation]
Lakers Not Interested in Roy [NBA.com]
Indiana Pacers part ways with Larry Bird, introduce Donnie Walsh as new president – [ESPN]
Nuggets talking Chandler for Warriors No. 7 pick [ProBasketball Talk]
Dwayne Wade Needs Knee Surgery, Withdraws from Olympics [ProBasketball Talk]
The 2012 NBA Draft Recap [Silver Screen and Roll]
NBA Draft Recap: Three Winners, Three Losers [ProBasketball Talk]
NBA Draft: Worst Picks of the 21st Century [OC Register]
Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics pursuing Jamal Crawford trade [ESPN]
Kentucky Comes Out on Top Again [NBA.com]
